Manually controlled check sorting machine



Feb. 7, 1939. 3 R N r AL 2,146,695

MANUALLY CONTROLLED CHECK SOHTING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1937 6Sheets-Sheet 'l 90INVENTORS Um ATTORNEY Feb. 7, 1939. 5. BRAND El ALMANUALLY CONTROLLED CHECK SORTING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1957 6Sheets-Sheet 2 U INV EORS ATTORNEY Feb. 7, 1939. 5. BRAND ET AL MANUALLYCONTROLLED CHECK SORTING-MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 8, 1937QM\ ME MC N2 m: m2 :1 .2 2. v2 3: w 3 3 92 m2 1. o: v u Q3 N- Ju ||/|ull fl! n mm o o 2v mm us v& E .m\ v& 2. .E B. Q3 E. up s: 2.. 8 am n m M1 ,Q m: hm G Q: Qm m. YE mm mm m2 mp QM mm m% m o n V T m 2 Wm mm mm 6mm mm vw mm mf Feb. 7, 1939. 8. BRAND ET AL 2,146,695

MANUALLY CONTROLLED CHECK SOHTING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1957 6Sheets-Sheet 4 //V$l/Z4770/V 40 I 42 41 4a 11 416a I 1 MP 141 1'3 1157718 o ATTORNEY Fgb. 7, 1939. s. BRAND ET AL MANUALLY CONTROLLED CHECKSOHTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 8, 1937 INV TORJ A TTORNEYFeb. 7, 1939. 5 BRAND AL 2,146,695

TROLLED CHECK SOHTING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1937 MANUALLY CON 6Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEY apprised of this fact and the conditionsremedied. In said drawings:

One object of the present invention is to pro- Fig. 1 is a view in sideelevation of the right 4o vide a check sensing mechanism for the machineside of the check sorting machine. which determines whether a check hasbeen fed Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the bottom into aselected compartment and to cause the of the machine and showsparticularly the sortoperation of certain controlling mechanism to lugdrum stopping devices for the machine. lock the motor release baragainst a subsequent Fig. 3 is a detail view of certain contactconoperation and to render the keys which select trolling devices. 45the compartments inoperative. A further object Fig. 4 is a plan view ofmechanism shown in in this connection is to provide means under man-Fig. 3. ual control to recondition the machine so that Fig. 5 is adetailview of certain parts forming operations under control of thecompartment separt of the drum stopping devices.

50 lecting keys and motor release bar may be sub- Fig. 6 is anelectrical wiring diagram of the 50 sequently performe machine.

Patented Feb.7,1939 2,146,695

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs MANUALLY con'rziigig onncn SOB-TING SamuelBrand, Binghamton, and John N. Wheeler, Apalachin, N. Y., assignors toInternational Business Machines, Corporation, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application April 8, 1937, Serial No. 135,644 15Claims. (Cl. 209122) The improvements forming the subject matterabnormal conditions. This might be occasioned of the present inventionis adapted to be applied by attempting to feed a check of an abnormal tomachines of the type disclosed in the patent width, which dimension isin the direction in to F. L. Fuller, #1,966,623 issued July 1'7, 1934,which it is fed, or inserting a check in between 5 and in theapplication of F. L. Fuller and S. the rollers afterv they have startedto rotate 5 Brand, Serial No. 743,044, filed September I, 1934. which isafter the motor release bar is depressed, It is thought that the natureof the improveor feeding a check in crooked or at an angle to ments willbe better understood by preceding the the rollers. The sensing mechanismwhich con-' description thereof by a brief description of the trols theindication of this fact renders the keys m machine. which selects thecompartments inoperative but 10 Such machines are of the type known ascheck does not lock the motor release bar. In the sorting machines andare adapted to sort groups event of this condition a buzzer indicatesthe of promiscuously arranged checks and list the necessity of a Secondcheek feeding pe o amounts of the checks in classified groups by tocompletely feed the check to the selected comseparate tapes. The amountsof the checks are partment.

listed on a ten-key keyboard and the checks are A still further objectof the invention is to indropped in an aperture which communicates withcorporate a sensing mechanism which will detera selected compartment inthe sorting drum. .The mine whether checks are p p y fed o Sedrum isrotated under control of keys of a seclected compartments. Thecompartments which 0nd keyboard to bring the selected compartmentcomprise spaced parallel plates and checks are 20 into registration withthe aperture. I urged against one of the plates by a clamp which Suchmachines are provided with a plurality is mo e to provide a recess toreceive t c ec of totalizers. and a plurality of amount printers andthen moved to clamp ch c in the partso that the latter can list theamounts of the ment- Sometimes. a Check is fed behind th checks onseparate tapes, while the totalizers acc a p so t t it i not held y theclamp a 25 cumulate the amounts and provide the totals of might. be freeto drop ou Of the compartment the amounts of all checks of eachclassification. and into the internal mechanism of the machine Theoperation of check feeding, printing and d h s be d accumulatingmechanisms is under control of a The sensing m e flm pp the Operate!motor release bar which when depressed effects of this condition so thatit can be remedied thus 0 the concomitant operation of the threemechaobviating further troublenisms. Since there must be a check fed forOther obl numerous to mention l be each amount printed and accumulatedit is esappar nt as h description is u d s d and sential that safeguardsbe provided to insure inthe incorporat o of the Vii-1710115 Sensing havvariable check feeding operations and insure that n sms describedheretofore increase the fl y as it check feeding operations are notperformed, of the machine and augments its value as a check orimproperly performed, that the operator be or manually controlled recordsorting machine.

A still .further object is to indicate to the Fig. '7 which is on thesheet with Fig. 1 is a operator the fact that the single revolution ofthe view in side elevation of the motor release bar check feedingrollers has not completely fed the and the one revolution clutchmechanism concheck to a selected'compartment due to several trolledthereby.

.of a check to feed 101* Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in side elevationof the check feeding mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing certain parts in operatedposition.

Fig. 10 is a view in side elevation of the frame carrying the checkfeeding rollers.

Figs. 11 and 12 are views showing the improved check sensing mechanismfor determining failure or improper feeding thereof.

' Check sorting mechanism Referring to Fig. 1, the drum I8 is securelymounted on the shaft I I suitably and rotatably supported in the mainframework of the machine. The drum I8 is adapted to be driven by acontinuous running motor (not shown) through a two-way clutch whichdrives a sprocket gear I2 (Figs. 1 and 2) in either direction. A chainI3 passes around sprocket gear I4 secured to the shaft II. An adjustableidler gear I5 insures the proper tension on the chain I3.

The machine is cated generally at l6, and is supported on a base IT. Thetwo-way clutch mechanism is mounted between a pair of. brackets I8 andI9 secured to the base I1. The motor (not shown) is mounted on the baseI1 and drives the clutch mechanism through a shaft 28 mounted in thebrackets I8 and I9 and directly connected to the armature shaft of themotor. Secured to shaft 28 midway between the brackets I8 and I9 is adriving the shaft 28 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4.Rotatably mounted on the shaft 28 adjacent the driving clutch members 2|are driven clutch plates 24 and 25, each provided with suitable clutchfacing material indicated at 26.

The clutch plate 24 is mounted on' a sleeve 21, which sleeve is alsointegral with a gear 28. The clutch plate 25 is similarly connected byasleeve 29 to a gear 38 on the shaft 28.

The gear 28 meshes with an intermediate gear 36 which meshes with a gear31 fast on a shaft 38 mounted in the brackets I8 and I9 and on which issecured the sprocket gear I2. The gear 38 meshes with a gear 39.

Obviously, if the clutch plate 24 is brought into operative contact withthe driving plate 22, the clutch plate'24 and the gear 28 will be drivenin a clockwise direction, and, through the gears 35, will drive the gear31, I2 also in a clockwise direction to rotate the drum I8 in the samedirection. plate 25 is brought into contact'with the drum plate 23, theplate 25 and the gear 38' are rotated clockwise. The gear 38 meshingdirectly with the gear 39 drives shaft 38 and sprocket gear I2 in acounterclockwise direction to rotate the drum I8 counterclockwise. I

The selective movement of clutch plates 24 and 25 to contact with thedriving plate 22 is controlled by the position in which the drum standsand by the particular selector key 48 (Figs. 1 and 6) depressed. Fixedto the framework of the machine and surrounding the drum 1 drum standingat the mounted in a framework indishaft 38 and sprocket gear However, ifclutch ducting segments 45, 46, and 41, and a ring 48 showndiagrammatically in Fig. 6, mounted in a disk 49 of insulating materialis fixed to the drum shaft I I adjacent the ring 4|. The brushes 42 arecarried by the ring- 4| and contact with the segments 45, 46, and 41.When the drum I8 is at rest, the segment 45 is in contact with the brush42 connected to the contacts 44 associated with the last depressedselector key 48 shown in Fig. 1 as the I key at the left. The segment 46is electrically connected to the ring 49 by a radial strap of conductingmaterial.

Assuming that the main switch (not shown) is closed and the motor isrunning with the sorting last selected position, for position, we nowdepress the I3 compartment selector key 48 (see Fig. 6). Depression ofthis key releases the key which as is clearly explained in theaforementioned example, the I Patent #1,966,623 is immediately returnedto undepressed position opening the corresponding contacts 44.Depression of the I3 key 48 closes its contacts 44, whereupon a circuitis set up from a line 48 connected to one side of the current supply,relay contacts 58a, now closed, wires 52, 53, and 54, contacts 44 forthe I3 compartment key, wire 43 to the corresponding brush 42, segment46, ring 49, a brush 55, wire 55, relay contacts Ha (now closed), wire58, relay magnet 59 to the other side of the current supply by a line68. This energizes relay magnet 59 which closes its relay contacts 59aand 59b, establishing a holding circuit by relay contacts 59b magnet 59extending as follows: from line 48,

52; wire 53, relay conand 53, relay contacts |59a (now closed), wire 69,relay contacts 590, wire III, relay'magnet II, wire I2, to line 68.

clutch control magnet 75,

lever 19 clockwise (Fig. 4) v Pivotally carried by the levers. 19, atthe end opposite the armature I8, is a pair of yokes 82 and 83. Theseyokes carry rollers 84 and 85 projecting into annular grooves 85 and 81in the sleeves 29 and 21 respectively. At their opposite ends the yokes82 and 83 carry adjusting studs 88 and 89 bearing against the bracket8|.

When the lever 19 is rocked the influence of clutch control rocks theyoke clutch plate 25 into contact with the driving member 23, whereuponthe gear 38 is driven clockwise (Fig. 2) rotating gear 39 and sprocketear I2 counterclockwise to rotate the drum I I in the same directionuntil the segment 45 conbrush 42 associated with the depressed in theinstant example, the "I3 key. The drum is stopped in this position laterto be described.

, effective to energize long as a key tacts 44 for the Assuming now thatthe I2" selector key 49 is depressed instead of the l3 key with the I"key previously depressed. When the drum I9 is standing in the I positionthe drum will rotate in the opposite or clockwise direction to bring theI2" compartment into registry with the check feeding aperture.

Referring to Fig. 6, it may be seen that the brush 42 connected to theI2 key contacts 44 is in contact with the segment 41. This segment 41having no connection to the ring 49 it is inthe relay magnet 59 or therelay magnet 1I, therefore, upon closure of contacts 16 and 11 by meansto be later described a circuit is established from line 49, relaycontacts 59a, wires 52 and 53, relay contacts 1), a second clutchcontrol magnet 99, contacts 16 and 11 closed by means to be laterdescribed, to line 69.

Energization of magnet 99 rocks the arm 19 (Fig. 4) counterclockwise,engaging the clutch plate 24 with the driven plate 22, which, throughthe gears 28, 36 and 31 rotates the sprocket gear I2 and the drum I9clockwise until the segment 45 contacts the brush 42 for the I2,key 49.

The drum I9 is normally held in position by a pair of stop arms 96 and91 (Figs. 4 and and is also accurately alined in position by a lock arm98 (Fig. 2). The stop arm 96 is pivotally supported at 99 (Fig. 4) by apair of arms I99 pivoted on a stud I9I projecting from a frame I92secured to the base I1. The stop arm 91 is similarly supported at I93 bya pair of arms I94 pivoted on a stud I95 in the frame I92. A spring I96stretched between projections of the arms 96 and 91 normally holds thesearms in their effective or raised positions.

The stop arms 96 and 91 cooperate with blocks I91 secured to the side ofthe drum I9, there being a block I91 for each compartment position onthe drum. Beforethe drum can be rotated; it is necessary to withdraw thearms 96 and 91 clear of the particular block I91 between said arms. Tothis end the stop arms 96 and 91 are provided with hooked projectionsnot and we respectively. Extending immediately above these projectionsis an ear H9 bent over from the free end of a lever III pivoted on astud H2 (Fig. 2) in the frame I92. A link I I3 pivotally connected tothe lever III has secured to its lower end the armature H4 of a solenoidH5.

Energization of the solenoid H5 attracts its armature H4, drawing thelink H3 downwardly and rocking the lever III counterclockwise.

rocks the stop arm 96 clockwise and the stop arm 91 counterclockwise,thus moving said stop arms out of the path of the block I91 with whichit is engaged.

The solenoid H5 is energized by the following circuit described withreferenceto Fig. 6:

This circuit extends from line 48, relay contacts 59a, wires 52, 53,wire 54 at the right, relay contacts I I6a closed in a manner now to beexplained, solenoid H5, normally closed relay contacts H1a, normallyclosed contacts H9, normally closed contacts H8 to line 69. This circuitis normally open at the relay contacts H6a, held open by a relay magnetH6, which is retained energized as 49 is depressed and the drum standsat'a position corresponding to the depressed key. The circuit forretaining relay magnet H6 energized extends as follows, assuming the Ikey to be depressed as shown in Fig. 6, line 48, relay contacts 59a,wires 52, 53 and wire 54 at the left, con- I key, wire 43 to the Thismovement of the lever III, through the ear H9,

98 is rocked clear of the block I91.

42, segment 45, ring I29, a brush I2I, wires I22 and I23, and relaymagnet H6 to line 69.

When another key is depressed, the previously depressed key, in thisexample the I key, is immediately released and restored to itsundepressed position permitting, its open. This opens the circuitthrough the relay magnet I I6 which, becoming deenergized, permits itsrelay contacts H6a to close establishing the above describedcircuitthrough the solenoid H5.

As the latch arms 96 and 91 approach the lower limit of their movementcaused by the energization of solenoid H5, ears I24 formed on the freeends thereof, come below the bent end of a latch arm I25 (see Fig. 3),which arm is immediately rocked clockwise (Fig. 3) by a spring I26 tolatch the stop arms 96 and 91 down in their ineffective positions.

Before the drum I9 is free to rotate, the lock arm 98 must also beremoved to ineffective position. The'nose of this arm as shown in Fig. 2normally rests in a notch formed in one of the blocks I91. The lock arm98 is withdrawn by a magnet I21 (Figs. 2 and 6) which is energized,under control of the stop arms 96 and 91 when they are withdrawn to freethe drum for rotation. Mounted near the stop arms 96 and 91 are pairs-ofcontacts I28. and I29 connected in parallel and having their innerblades bent outwardly at an angle (see Fig. 2). These angular ends ofthe inner blades carry blocks I39 of insulating material (Fig. 4) 4)projecting respectively from the stop arms 96 and 91, cooperate with theblocks 39 (see also Fig. 6) to hold the pairs of contacts I28 and I29open when the stop arms are in their eiiective positions. When the stoparms 96 and 91 are pulled down to unlock the drum I9, the studs I36 andI31 are carried out of contact with the blocks I39, whereupon thecontacts I28 and I29 are closed by the spring tension of the blades.

Closure of contacts I29 or I29 (see Fig. 6) or both energizes magnetI21, which attracts its armature I38 (Fig. 2) and rocks the lock arm 98clear of the block I91.

It was set forth above how, as the stop arms 96 and 91 approach thelimit of their downward movement the latch I25 (Fig. 3), under theinfiuence of its spring I26, rocks clockwise to latch arms 96 and 91down. The arm I25 is pivoted at I39 and bass, downwardly extending tailI49 to which the spring I26 is attached. The tail I49 carries aninsulating roller I4I which cooperates with the center one of threecontact blades. As viewed in Fig. 3 the right hand pairiof contacts H8(see' also Fig. 6) is normally closed and the left hand pair of contacts11 are normally open.

I As the latch arm I25 rocks clockwise to latch the stop arms 96 and 91down, the tail I49 through the roller I4I opens contacts H8 and closescontacts 11. When the contacts H8 are opened, the solenoid H5 (Figs. 2and 6) is deenergized, allowing a spring I42 (Fig. 2) to raise the arm.I I I, link H3 and armature H4 to their upper positions.

Closing of contacts through the selected clutch control magnet 11completes the circuit 15 ,or 99 upon closure of contacts 16. Theselatter contacts are closed by a tail I43 (Fig. 2) secured to the lockarm 99 and rocked therewith. Contacts 16 are, therefore, closed when thelock arm The drum I9 is then free to'rotate and the proper one of theclutch control magnets is. energized to drive the drum to its newlyselected position.

contacts 44 to Studs I36 and I31 (Fig.

The drum continues to rotate until it arrives at the position whereinthe compartment corresponding to the depressed key comes opposite thecheck aperture, whereupon the rotation of said drum is arrested and thescribed.

It will be remembered that the commutator comprising the segments 45,46, 41 and rings 49 and I20 (Fig. 6) rotates with the drum I0, whereasthe disk'4I together with the brushes 42, 55 and I20 remaincorresponding brush I2I, wire I22, and a magnet I44 to line 60.Energization of magnet I44 (see Fig. 3) attracts its armature I45, whichis secured to the latch arm I25, rocking the latter counterclockwise tofree the stop arms 96 and 91.

wire 43,

is pivoted at its left hand end on the stud 99 on which the stop arm 96is pivoted. The slide I46 is slotted to surround and slide over the studI03 moves to the left the slide I46 moves in the same A slide I46 (Fig.4)

it in position between Between the studs spring I53 (Fig. 4).

plates I46 and I41. 99 and I03 is stretched a Another spring I54 iscompressed between the stud I 03 and the bent end I55 of the slide I46.The spring I 54 surrounds a pivot stud- I56 secured to the stud I03 andwhich passes through the bent end I55 of the slide I46.

Assuming, for example, that the drum I0 is rotating counterclockwise,the block'I01 strikes (Fig. 2) moves by the extension of spring I53 andcompression of spring I 54, which springs react to bring the block I01and the drum to the position wherein the selected compart nt is inregistry with the check aperture I 35./ When the,

block I01 strikes the stop arm 91, it stretches spring I53 (Fig. 4) andcompresses spring I54 (Figs. 2 and 4) and block I01 then reboundsagainst arm 96 and when block I01 strikes the stop arm 91 the actionjust described, occurs but to a lesser degree. This rebound or chatterwould be quite extensive if only the springs I53 and I54 were dependedupon to bring the drum to The friction member I49 is provided to dampenthe rebound action effected by the springs I 53 and I54.

drum is accurately alined in position by mechanism now to be decuit forthe relay It is necessary that the lock arm 98 (Fig; 2) be maintained inits ineffective position until the drum I0 has come to a complete rest.This is eifected by maintaining one or the other of the contacts I28 andI 29 closed until the drum is completely stopped. This maintains themagnet I21 (Fig. 6) energized to hold the arm 99 in its disengagedposition.

,stud I36 is carried away from the insulating block I30. This permitscontacts I28 to close. Thus, if the block I 01 is off center in eitherdirection, one or the other of the contacts I26 and I 29 is closed. Assoon as the drum comes to a complete rest, both contacts I28 and I29 areopened, deenergizing the magnet I21, whereupon the lock arm 98 is rockedclockwise by a spring (not shown) accurately to align the drum.

The instant the segment 45 (Fig. 6) comes into contact with-the brush 42corresponding to the depressed key, the magnet 144 (see also Fig. 3) isenergized over the circuit previously traced in orderto release the stoparms 96 and 91. Energization of magnet I44 rocks the arm I 40counterclockwise (Fig. 3) or clockwise in Fig. 6 closing contacts H8 andopening contacts 11. This opens the circuit through the selected clutchcontrol magnet or 90. A holding circuit is provided for the selectedclutch control magnet, since it is desired to rotate the drum I0 bypower until an instant before the block I01 strikes the The relay magnetII6 long as the drum is stationary at the selected relay magnet I59 toline so. This holds the relay holding contacts magnet I66 by a circuitdescribed as follows: line 48, relay contacts 50a, wires 52 and 53,relay contacts I59b, wire I61, relay magnet I66, wires I66 and I69,contacts 16 and 11 (now closed) to line 60. Relay magnet I66 closes itsrelay contacts I66a and I66b, the relay contacts I66a establishing aholding circuit for the selected clutch magnet 15 or 90 over wireI69,.relay contacts I66a, a Wire I12 to line '60. The contacts I66bestablish a second holding cirmagnet 59 extendlng from line 48, relaycontacts 50a, wires 52' and 53, wire I13, relay contacts I 66b, wire 69,relay contacts 590, relay magnet 59 to line 60. This circuit from wire69 extends also through relay contacts 66a,

- If a key I-I2 inclusive wire 19, relay magnet 1I, wire 12 to line 69,and holds the magnet 1I energized.

When the segment 45 contacts the particular brush 42 corresponding tothe depressed key, the block I91 (Fig. 2) is some distance from thepoint midway between stop arms 96 and 91. However, at this instant, themagnet I44 (Fig. 6) becomes energized opening by roller I4I contacts 16,which won d open the circuit for the selected clutchv control magnet 15and 99 were it notfor the holding circuit over wire I69, relay contactsI66a, and wire I12 to line 68.

At the same time that the magnet I44 is energized, the relay magnet H6is energized closing relay contacts 61). This energizes relay magnetI59, opening relay contacts I59a and I591). The relay contacts I59a openthe circuit to relay magnet 59 over wire 69, relay contacts 5591), relaymagnet 59 to line 69. The relay magnet 59 is maintained energized for abrief period over wire I13, relay contact I661), wire 69, relay contacts5917, relay magnet 59 to line 69. This holds the relay contacts 59aclosed and the relay magnet 1I energized.

Opening of relay contacts I59b, however, opens the circuit to relaymagnet I66 which, becoming deenergized, allows its relay contacts I66aand H561) to open; the contacts I661; opening the circuit through theselected clutch control magnet 15 or 99, and the contacts I66b openingthe circuit through relay magnets 59 and -.1I.

. The contacts 59a and 59b thereupon open and the relay contacts 1Icopen and relay contacts 1") close. After relay contacts 11 open due tothe energization of the magnet I44, the delay due to energizing relaymagnets H6 and I59 and deenergizing relay magnet I66 is suflicient tomaintain the selected clutch magnet 15 or 99 energized until an instantbefore the block I91 strikes the stop arm 96 or 91.

It is to be understood as previously stated that the relay magnets 59and 11 are energized only when the drum I9 rotates counterclockwise,that is, when a key in the group I3-I4 is depressed. is depressed thecircuit will extend to the segment 41 but since it has no connection tothe ring 49, no circuit is established over wire 56, relay contacts 1Ia,wire 58 and relay magnet 59 to line 69. Thus, relay magnet 59 is notenergized, relay contacts 59a remain open and relay magnet 1! is notenergized. Contacts 1") remaining closed cause energization of clutchcontrol magnet 99. functions of relay magnets I59 and I66 are the samewhether clutch selected.

Motor release bar Check feeding operations are rendered operative when amotor release bar I15 is depressed. As best shown in Fig. 1 the motorrelease bar I15 is positioned exteriorly -of the check sorting machinefor a manual depression.

The motor release bar I15 (Fig. 7) is carried by a slidable key stem I16carrying a pin I11 which when the key stem is depressed closes contactsI18. This completes a circuit, as shown in Fig. 6, from the line 48,through relay contacts II6b, now closed, contacts I18, relay contactsI19a now closed, clutch control magnets I89 to the line 69 thus causingthe energization of the magnets I86.

Referring to Fig. '1 there will be seen a showing of a ratchet clutchwheel I8I which constantly rotates by driving means now to be described.

control magnet 15 or 99 is Secured to the drive shaft 2I is a sprocketgear I82 (Fig. 4) around which passes an endless chain I83 (Fig. l)surrounding a sprocket gear I84 attached to a shaft I85. Attached tosaid shaft is a pinion I86 meshing with a gear I91 loosely mounted on ashaft I88 and to which gear I81 the ratchet wheel I8I is secured (seeFig. '1).

Attached to the shaft I89 is a disk I89 carrying a spring-pressed clutchpawl I99 having a tail I9I normally engaged by a shoulder I92 of aclutch control arm I93. By means of a link I94 the clutch control armI93 is connected to an arm I 95 by a pin I96 carried by the arm I95engaging a slot in the link I94, said arm I95 also having a slotreceiving a pin I91 carried by the key stem The result of the aboveconstruction that pin I11 will close contacts I18 when the key stem II16 isdepressed to cause the energization of the magnets I89. From Fig.'1 it will be seen that the armature I98 of magnets I89 isintegral withthe arm I93 so that the energization of magnets I89 will rock the clutchcontrol arm I93 to remove shoulder I92 from the tail I9I therebypermitting a spring I99 to rock the clutch pawl I99 into en-' gagementwith the ratchet wheel I'9I thus rotat-- lng the drive shaft I88.

When the link I94 is moved .rearwardly a pm 299 carried thereby willclose safety contacts 2M and said contacts as shown in Fig. 6 shuntrelay contacts II6b thereby maintaining the circuit to magnets I89closed in the'event that relay contacts II6b may open.

At about 259 rotation of the shaft I88 a cam 292 carried thereby willclose cam contacts CC-I thereby closing, as shown in Fig. 6, a circuitto a relay magnet I19.

The, latter will now open the relay contacts I19a thereby opening thecircuit to the .clutch control magnets I89 and even if the motor releasebar is held depressed it will be seen that a spring 293 will rock thearmature I99 and clutch release arm I93 so that at the completion of onerevolution of the disk I89 and shaft I88 the shoulder I92 of the arm I93will engage the clutch pawl I 99 and disengage it from the ratchet wheelI8I. In this case the slot in the link I94 will permit the movement ofthe link I94 to the right to open the contacts 29I and without affectingthe movement of the motor release bar. I16.

W hen the relay contacts I19b close it will be seen from Fig. 6 that thecircuit for relaymagnet I19 is closed to retain. its relay contactsI190; opened as long as the motor release bar I15 is held depressed.When manual pressure on the motor release bar I15 is relieved a spring(not shown) will raise the motor release bar I15 and key stem I16permitting contacts I18 to open, to cause the deenergization of relaymagnet I19, the opening of relay contacts I196 and closing of relaycontacts I19a. Thus only a single revolution of the drive shaft I88 canbe effected even if the motor release bar I16 is held depressed.

It should further be noted that when the motor release bar I15 isdepressed the pin I 18 carried by the stem l16 will permit contacts II9to open (see Fig. 6 upper right) thus opening the circuits to the line89 and making the reel selecting mechanism inoperative during the checkfeeding operation.

Checkjeeding mechanism .the frame plates 359 and the supported betweenoted on the shaft 351 and adjustably secured to the frame plates 359 byscrews Also secured to the shaft 360 to be sorted is inserted into an 8)and the motor release bar 15 to cause it to ment.

The checks means of a plurality of and pairs of aperture !35 (Fig. thendepressed be fed into the selected compartare fed into the compartmentsby pairs of feed rollers 358 smaller rollers 35! (Figs. 8 and 9).

These feed rollers normally occupy the position with relation to thesorting drum, in which they appear in Fig. 8. During the rotation of thecheck feeding rollers to feed a check into a selected compartment therollers 350 and 35! wardly to the are rocked downposition shown in Fig.9. The pairs of rollers 350 are secured to the shafts 351 and 358 (Figs.8 and 9), the shaft 351 tween a pair 10) secured t side frames of themachine.-

being carried beof frame plates 359 (see also Fig. a shaft 360 journaledin suitable The shaft 358 is carried between upwardly extending brackets36!,

one secured t 0 each of'the pair of frame plates The rollers 35! arecarried on shafts 362 and 363, the latter shaft being supported betweenshaft 362 being adjustable brackets 364 piv- 365 (See Fig. 10). is a camfollower arm 366 carrying rollers cooperating with a pair ofcomplementary cams !88 (Figs. 8, 9, and 10) 361 secured to the shaftwhich, it will be remembered, receives one complete counterclockwise ro-'tation at each operation of the machine. At the proper time the cams361 rock the shaft 360 and the frame plates 359 clockwise to bring therollers 35! into close ment and at fast on the shaft proximity the sameto the selected comparttime a gear 368 (Fig. 8) 88 rotates the rollers35!) and 35! in the directions indicated by the arrows through thefollowing described The gear 368 train of gears:

drives an intermediate gear 369 mounted on a stud 318. The gear 369meshes with a gearv 31! loose on the shaft 360, which gear 31! mesheswith a gear 312 (Fig. fast on the shaft 351.

A gear 313 (Fig. 9) also fast to the shaft 351 meshes with a gear 314fast on the shaft 358. The counterclockwise rotation of the gear 368through the train of gears 369 and 31! rotates the gear 312, the shaft351 and the roller 35!) fast thereon in a clockwise direction, and alsorotates the gear 314, shaft 358 and the feed roller 356 on this shaft ina counterclockwise direction. The

meshes with a gear 316 secured to the shaft 363, and the gear 316 mesheswith a gear causes the feed rollers rotate counterclockwise 311 fast onthe shaft 362.

35! on the shaft 363 to and the feed rollers 35! on shaft 362 to rotatein a clockwise direction.

The rollers shown at 318 is dropped into the (Fig. 8) the 358 arenotched substantially as (Fig. 9) so that when the check aperture in thechute !35 lower edge thereof rests on the shoulders of the notch 318substantially between the set of rollers tion of the r thereby. Therotation of rollers 35!! permitting an initial rotaollers 356 before thecheck is fed 35!) and 35! in tainer plate 3 to a shaft 389 54, and aseries of fingers 386 (Figs. are secured to a rod 381 carried ms 388.The arms 388 are secured pivotallysupported on brackets 390 1compartment.

(only one of which is shown) secured to a subbase 330. Springs 39!normally urge the arms 388 clockwise pressing rollers 392 carried by thearms 388 against cams 393 fast on the shaft I88.

The fingers 386 are normally in the Fig. 8 position and when the shaft!88, and consequently the cams 393 are rotated counterclockwise, thecontour of the cams 393 permits the springs 39! to rock thev arms 388quickly clockwise from the Fig. 8 position to the which they appear inFig. 9 to 386 in the compartment. Arms 394 are secured to the shaft 381and are urged by springs 396 attached to the extensions of fingers 386to cause the arms 394, to be urged against a guide rod 395 so that asthe fingers 386 are moved into the compartment they are guided by thearms 394 cooperating with grooves in said guide rod 395. 1

When the selected compartment comes into a record receiving position anarm 319 comes to rest adjacent a roller 380 (Figs. 8 and 9) carried byone of the frame plates 359. After the fingers 386 are moved into thecompartment as shown in Fig. 9 the frame plates 359 are rocked by thecams 361 as previously stated and a roller 388 rocks an arm 319. The arm319 is connected to an arm 352 by a sleeve 353 so as to rock arm 352counterclockwise against the action of a spring 355 carrying the checkretainer plate 354 which is pivoted to said arm 352 at 391 from theposi- 354 the latter is moved past the fingers 386 which are now in thecompartment so that the incoming check 385 may be fed between the plate354 and fingers 386 by the rollers which are character 358 in Fig. 9indicates a check fed in a compartment to show how it is fed between theplate 354 and fingers 386.

After the card is fed in the compartment between the fingers 386 and theretainer plate 354, the cams 393 restore the arms 388 to their originalposition withdrawing the fingers 386 from the 361 then rock the frames359 counterclockwise, carrying the feed rollers outwardly to theirnormal positions and this allows the. spring 355 to carry the retainerplate 354 against the stack of checks 385 to firmly hold the check fedinto the compartment against compartment.

Means for determining proper feeding of checks The machine is providedwith check sensing mechanisms by means of which it can be determinedwhether checks are fed properly by the feeding mechanism into theselected compartment and also means for indicating the fact that thecheck has not been inserted by the operator for a check feedingoperation.

Since operations such as printing and totalizing are invariably effectedin the present machine by the depression of the motor release bar I15 itis essential that checks also be correspondingly fed so that the printedlists of checks and numerical totals thereof correspond with the checksfed i the. related compartment.

Means to determine whether a check is fed or not This mechanism is shownin Fig' 11 and its operation will be understood with particularreference to the wiring diagram in Fig. 6.

From Fig. 11 it will be seen that checkfeeding aperture I35 consists ofan upper plate -2I8 and a plate 2I I between which the check is manuallyinserted and pushed downwardly so that the leading edge rests on thebottom shoulders of the notch 318 (see Fig. 9) formed in the pairs ofrollers 358. When the check is so inserted, after the depression. of themotor release bar I15 the check will be fed to engage the lower blade ofa set of contacts 2I2 (Fig. 11) thereby displacing the lower blade andopening said contacts and retaining them open while the check being fedis in cooperation therewith. As shown in the wiring diagram a similarset of contacts 2 I 3 are also provided and are likewise adapted to beopened by the check if the check is properly fed by rollers 358. Eachset of the two sets of contacts-2I2 and 2I3 are located between adjacentpairs of rollers 358 and the sets of contacts are separated suflicientlyso that the two ends or portions of the incoming check will, if thecheck is properly inserted and fed, open both sets of contacts 2I2 andM3.

Attached to the shaft I88 is an arm 2I4 (Fig. 11) carrying a block 2I5of insulating material adapted in approximately 15 rotation of shaftI88, or when the check has been fed to close contacts CC-4. As shown inFig. 6, there is a circuit from line wire 48, through contacts CC-4,contacts 2 I3, contacts 2I2, a relay magnet 58, and to the line side 68.If the check is inserted to engage the shoulders of the notch 318 thecheck will be fed properly to open both sets of contacts 2I2 and 2I3 sothat if both sets are I open when contacts CC-4 close relay magnet willnot'be energized. I

If the check is not inserted in'the aperture I35, or if it is not pusheddownwardly suiliciently to be seized by the pairs of rollers-358 andfed, both sets of contacts 2I2 and 2I3 will be closed when contacts CC-4close thus energizing relay magnet 58.

As shown in Fig. 12 when relay magnet 58 is energized its armature 2I6will be attracted to unlatch the upper blade of contacts 581; which thusopen by their resiliency. As shown in Fig. 6, opening of contacts 58awill disconnect wire 52 from the line side 48 so that the keys 48 willbe inoperative to 'select another compartment thus indicating to theoperator the failure of a check to be fed.

Since the normally closed circuit through relay magnet H6 is now open,relay magnet H6 is deenergized and its relay contacts IIIib will openthus preventing the energization of the clutch control magnets I88 by asubsequent depression of the motor release bar I15. Hence, such ebnormalcheck feeding conditions will render the motor release bar I15inoperative and prevent the use ofkeys 48 to select another compa ment.

To restore the circuit to normalcon tion, after the operator is apprisedof the failure of a check to feed, or the failure to insert a check, aslidable member 2"! '(Fig. 12) is manually depressed so that a pin 2 I1carried thereby will depress the upper contact blade of the set ofcontacts 58a to cause them to be relatched in closed position .by thearmature 2I6 of the magnet 58. The check can now be inserted to be fed,or reinserted properly and the operator can continue with the normalmachine operations after the motor release bar I15 is depressed to feedthe check into the selected compartment and which shouldv have been fed.

Sensing means to determine whether check fed is too wide or fed at anangle From the previous description it is obvious that the'feedingrollers 358 are given an invariable rotation and their size will givesufliclent feed of a check to feed a check of average width intothe'selected compartment. If a check is of too great a width (in thedirection of its travel) it will not be fed completely into the selectedcompartment and this will also occur if the check is fed at an angle. Insuch an abnormal machine operation this indication is made to theoperator by locking the compartment selecting mechanism, that is, thecontrol by keys 48 is rendered inoperative, without. however, lockingthe motor release bar I15. The latter can again be depressed to completethe feeding operation of the. unusually wide check or the one insertedcrooked in the check feeding aperture. This mechanism is shown in Fig.12 and will be understood with reference to the wiring diagram in Fig.6.

To this end attached to the rock shaft 228 is a pair of feeler fingers22I each located between an adjacent pair of feeding rollers 358.Attached to the shaft 228 is a depending arm 235 having an upwardextension 222 to which is connected 2. spring 223 which tends to rockthe shaft 228 to urge the feeler fingers 22I so that they may pro- ,iectthrough slots in the plate 2, but this is normally prevented by thecoaction of a pin 236 rr ed by the arm 235 with a plate 231 carried bythe lower one of the rollers 358.

With a check inserted in the aperture I35 it w ll be seen thatunon theinitial clockwise rotat on 'of the roller 358 carrying the plate 231 theroller will move the late 231 out of cooperation "ith the pin 235 sothat the spring 223 will rock the feelers to contact with the check. Atthis time an arm 224 attached to shaft 2 and carrying a pin 225 will berocked so that the pin 225 engages the blade of a set of contacts 226without. however, moving the blade to open the con acts 226 if thefeeler fingers 22I contact with a check.

Referring to Fig. 11 a disk 221 of insulating material is carried by anam 228 secured to the haft I88 and is adapted to close contacts CC-3 seeFig. 6) located adiacent contacts 00-4 at rotationof shaft I88 and o enat 358.

If the check is of normal width and is fed in straight the trailing edgeof the check will have heen'fed past the feeler fin ers 22I so thatspring 9. .3 will further rock the feeler fingers 22I and cause-arm 224to open the contacts 226 before he disk 221'closes contacts CC4. Thecheck is now clear of the rollers and will be fed into the selectedcompartment If the check is too wide. or fed at too great x an angle, oreven inserted too late and after the This will close a circuit from theline side 48, through contacts CC-3, contacts 226. a relay magnet I I1to the line side 68. The latter closes its relay contacts II1b therebyconnecting a buzzer B across the line wires 48 and 68 indicat- 5 relaycontacts 1a 20 in which position Means for determining whether or notprevious check is properly fed into selected compartment It has beenfound that occasionally a check is fed behind the retainer plate rightthereof as shown in Fig. 8

38% is out of se- -this time a cam plate 232 (Fig. 11) attached to shaftI88 will close contacts CC2 thereby causing as shown in Fig. 6 theenergization of the relay magnet H1 and effecting the signaling by 5 thebuzzer B and vents the loss of checks into the internal mechanism of themachine and possibly their destruc- 5 tion and this additional safeguardadds to the efliciency of the machine.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamentalnovel features of the 5 intention, therefore, to be limited only asindicated by the scope of the following claims.-

What is claimed is: 1. In a manually controlled sorting machine, recordsorting compartments, manually con- 0 trolled means 'for selecting saidcompartments, means comprising feeding rollers for feeding records tothe selected compartment, electrical con- I tact means displaced by arecord emerging from said rollers, devices for rendering the manuallycontrolled compartment selecting means inopercompletely ation with saidfeeler fingers,.

ative, and means controlled by said electrical contact means to rendersaid devices effective upon the absence of a record emerging from saidrollers to displace said electrical contact means.

2. "In a manually controlled record sorting machine provided with aplurality of record sorting compartments and key controlled means forselectingsaid compartments for receiving records fed thereto, thecombination with means for feed.- ing said records to a selectedcompartment, of manually controlled means for causing an invariableoperation of said latter is unoperated by a record for causing theoperation of the means for preventing the operation of the keycontrolled compartment selecting means. 7

3. In a manually controlled record sorting machine, record sortingcompartments, manually operated means, means controlled thereby forselecting said. compartments, devices for rendering said manuallyoperated means ineffective to control said selecting means, meanscomprising feeding rollers for feeding records to the selectedcompartment, manually controlled means for causing the operation of saidfeeding means, means displaced by a record into the compartment selectedto receive such record.

4. In a manually-controlled record sorting machine, record receivingsorting compartments, manually-controlled compartments, recordcomprising feeding rollers, manually-controlled means for emergingrecord, named manually-controlled means inoperative, and meanscontrolled by both of the aforesaid electrical contact means for causingthe operation of the aforesaid devices and rendered efiective upon theabsence of a record emerging from said rollers to open the first-namedelectrical contact means.

however, a record of abnormal size is still between said rollers after afeeding operation, a machine controlling means, and means controlledby-said feeler fingers for causing the operation of the machinecontrolling means when said feeler fingers determine that a record ofabnormal size is still between said rollers after a feeding operation.

6. In a manually-controlled record sorting machine, sorting compartmentsand means for feeding records to said compartments comprising feedingrollers, electrical contacts, sensing means cooperating with a recordemerging from saidrollers and means controlled thereby to cause adisplacement of said contacts when a record is completely out ofcorrelation with said sensing means, but permitting when suchcorrelation is maintained an undisplaced position of said electricalcontacts. other electrical contact means operable in timed relationshipwith said feeding means for causing the closureof said other electricalcontacts, and means in a circuit controlled conjointly by both of saidelectrical contacts for causing when the first-named contacts are inundisplaced position, due to the continued correlation of the record andthe sensing means after a record feeding operation, the indication ofsuch fact.

'7. In a manually controlled sorting machine for sorting records in aplurality of selectable compartments. in combination, record feedingmeans receiving a record for feeding said record to a selectedcompartment, a plurality of feeler fingers and means for retaining themdisplaced out of the path of a record fed by said feeding means. meansfor rendering said retaining means inoperative for causing said feelerfingers to determine whether a record is in cooperation with saidfeeding means, electrical contacts, electrical contact controlling meanstherefor and movable under control of said feeler fingers, and

means'rendered effective by said feeler fingers for causing said contactcontrolling means to effect a change in position of said electricalcontacts when the record is fed out of cooperation with said feedingmeans, but permit the unchanged position of said electrical contactswhen a record is retained in cooperation with said feeler fingers aftera record feeding operation.

8. In a manually controlled record sorting machine provided with aplurality of sorting com partments and key-controlled means forselecting said compartments for receiving records fed thereto, thecombination with means for feeding records to a selected compartment,manually controlled means for effecting an invariable operation of saidfeeding means to feed a record of predetermined width completely out ofcooperation with said feeding means and into the selected compartment,electrical contact means, means cooperating with a record and positionedby a recordwhich is not fed completely out of cooperation with thefeeding means to prevent a change in position of said electrical contactmeans, means for preventing the effective operation of said keycontrolled means, and means including said electrical contact means andrendered effective by an unchanged position of said electrical contactmeans for causing the operation ofthe means for preventing the operationof said key controlled means.

9. In a record sorting machine, sorting compartments, machinecontrolling means for said sorting machine, means for feeding a recordto a sorting compartment, a clamping means for clamping records fed toone side of said clamping means in said sorting compartment, and meansrendered operable by said clamping means and a record fed improperly tothe other side of said clamping means for causing the operation of saidmachine controlling means.

10. In a record sorting machine, a sorting compartment, a clamping platein said sorting compartment, guide fingers adapted to be projected insaid compartment, means for moving said clamping plate past saidfingers, machine controlling means, and means under control of saidfingers and rendered operable by failure of said plate to move past'fingers due to an improperly fed card interposed between said plate andfingers for causing the operation of the machine controlling means. I

11. In a record sorting machine, a sorting compartment, a clamping platepositioned in said compartment to provide a record receiving space withrespect to a wall of said compartment, means for moving said clampingplate to said position, and means rendered operable by a recordobstructing the movement of the clamping plate to such a position forindicating such fact.

12. In a record sorting machine, in combination, a record sortingcompartment, a clamping plate for said records, means for normallyfeeding records in said compartment to one side of said clamping plate,machine controlling means, and means cooperating with a recordimproperly fed, to the other side of said clamping plate forcausing theoperation of said controlling means.

13. In a sorting machine, record sorting compartments, means forselecting said compartments for sorting operations, a plurality of keysfor controlling said selecting means, means for feeding records to saidcompartments, devices for rendering the selecting means inoperative forcontrol by said keys, electrical contact means displaced by a recordwhich is fed to said compartments, and electrically controlled meanscontrolled by said electrical contact means for rendering the deviceseffective upon the absence of a. record displacing said electricalcontact means.

14. In a record sorting machine controlled by records of differentsizes, record receiving sorting compartments, means for selecting saidcompartments, record feeding means comprising feeding rollers, means forcausing an operation of said feeding rollers an invariable amount tothereby feed a record of normal size completely out of cooperation withsaid feeding rollers and into the selected compartment, meanscooperating with the records sorted for sensing the possible continuedcooperation of a record with said feeding rollers at the. termination ofa feeding operation, thereby sensing the presence of a record ofabnormal size, devices for rendering the compart- 4 ment selecting meansinoperative, and means controlled by said sensing means for causing uponthe sensing of a record of abnormal size said devices to be operative toprevent a subsequent operation of said selecting means thereby enablinga second operation of the feeding rollers to feed the record of abnormalsize to the pre-selected record receiving compartment. 15. In a recordsorting machine in which successively fed records are selectivelysegregated into selected sorting compartments, means for feeding therecords into each of said selected compartments in substantially avertical direction so that all of the records in one compartment rest inthe compartment on the lower edges of said records and when properly fedare disby said determining means for indicating when the stackedrelationship in any compartment is altered by the im the compartment.

proper feeding of a record to SAMUEL BRAND. JOHN N. WHEELER.

